Rebel PDP leader briefs PM on pol, eco situation in J

Published: Saturday, May 3, 2008, 20:33 [IST]

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New Delhi, May 3 (UNI) Rebel PDP leader and former Jammu and Kashmir Minister Ghulam Hassan Mir today met Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and discussed the current political situation in the state, particularly in view of the coming Assembly elections.

Incidentally, Mr Mir is floating his own outfit -- Jammu and Kashmir Democratic Party -- in Srinagar on May 7.

During the 30-minute meeting, Mr Mir, a founder member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), briefed the Prime Minister about the current political situation in the state.

''I had no personal agenda. I wanted to brief him about the prevailing economic situation in Jammu and Kashmir,'' he told UNI after the meeting.

Mr Mir said he informed the Prime Minister about the negative role played by the Jammu and Kashmir Bank in eradicating unemployment in the state.

''Jammu and Kashmir is facing a massive problem of unemployment.

Hundreds of thousands of unemployed youth are feeling frustrated.

The Jammu and Kashmir Bank could have played a positive role by providing loans to the unemployed youth so that they have alternate means of employment. But, its role is totally negative,'' he added.

Mr Mir, a former Jammu and Kashmir Tourism Minister, said the economy of the state was in doldrums.

''The economy of Jammu and Kashmir should not be dependent, but self-reliant. I also told the Prime Minister that the stalled economic package should be immediately revived so that development works could be taken up on a priority basis,'' he added.